Roku 2 XS vs XD

Roku devices are very useful and practical. With a tiny Roku, you can easily stream various online channels, including Netflix and Amazon Prime, straight to your TV. In this article, we will help you choose between two Roku models with similar looks, Roku 2 XS vs XD. Of course, there is some price difference that separates the two models apart.

So, which Roku model is better? Continue reading to find out about:
– The similar features that both Roku 2 XS and Roku 2 XD have
– The available connection ports on each model
– The remote control of Roku 2 XS vs XD
– The set-up and performance of each model
– Which Roku device that will give the best value for the money

Similarities
Both models have built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi. They can work with 2.4 GHz networks. However, they aren’t dual-band, so you can’t use these devices on 5.0 GHz networks. See also: Roku Express vs Ultra.

Both models support several video resolutions. They support 480i over the composite video input. They support 480p, 720p, and 1080p over HDMI. Note that Roku 2 XS and Roku 2 XD don’t support 4K Ultra HD – this is understandable, as these are budget-friendly models. Each model has an HDMI port to connect to your TV. They both come with free mobile apps for iOS and Android devices.

There is a Micro SD slot on each device, intended to increase the memory space of the unit to enhance the performance. They support many online channels, such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Vimeo, Crackle, and even Facebook and Picasa. But there are also some popular apps that are not supported, including YouTube.

However, these models are mostly designed for streaming online services. As the effect, they both are unable to stream from a PC, NAS drive, or DLNA.

Connection Ports
The first difference between Roku 2 XS vs XD is the Ethernet port. Roku 2 XS is equipped with an Ethernet port which will allow you to utilize a wired Internet access. Some people prefer a wired connection because of the better stability and maximum speed. Some people also prefer a wired connection to avoid interference issues. Roku 2 XD doesn’t have this feature, so it can only access the Internet wirelessly.

The second difference between the two models is the USB port. Roku 2 XS comes with a USB port for playing content from an external storage unit. So, with the USB port, you can play films and music from a USB stick or a hard drive that supports the connection. It can be really useful if your TV doesn’t have a USB port. On the other hand, Roku 2 XD does not have this feature.

Remote Control and Gaming
Roku 2 XS comes with the motion sensing remote included in the box. The remote is connected to the unit by using a Bluetooth connection. It can be quite fun and useful for some games. Besides supporting motion sensing, the remote also has some buttons that are dedicated for gaming. The unit comes with a full version of Angry Birds for free. So, if you are interested in gaming on your TV, this model is a great choice.

Roku 2 XD doesn’t come with the sophisticated remote. It only has a basic remote with standard buttons. The remote does not support motion sensing, and you don’t get dedicated gaming buttons. Also, you don’t get a free full version of Angry Birds with this model!

Actually, Roku 2 XD is compatible with the motion sensing remote which is available as a separate purchase; however, the price of the remote can be higher than the price difference between Roku 2 XS vs XD. So, you will spend less if you choose Roku 2 XS.

Setting Up
Both models follow a similar set-up process. When you turn on your Roku 2 device for the first time, you will meet the set-up wizard. After choosing your connection, the device will download the latest software and reboot.

Then, you need to select your country and region. You will get a special code which you need to use to register on the Roku website. One slight annoyance is that you need to enter your credit card or PayPal information, regardless of whether you want to buy paid content or not.

Once your account is successfully created, you can select the channels that you want to add to the Roku device. Finally, the channel list is sent to the Roku device so that the channels are automatically downloaded and installed. You can now watch the channels on your TV.

The overall process is simple and user-friendly. The only annoying thing is mentioned above; that you need to enter credit card or PayPal information to create an account. Nevertheless, you won’t need to spend any extra money if you just want to use the free content. When you want to add new apps or channels, you can head to the channel store directly through the Roku device.

Performance and Image Quality
Performance-wise, both Roku 2 XS and Roku 2 XD are pretty much similar. Moving through multiple menu screens is smooth and quick. However, these are obviously not the most powerful Roku models in the market. They often take a long time to load an app. For example, Netflix can take 30 – 40 seconds to load.

Nevertheless, the image quality is good. Both models support 1080p Full HD content. So, you can already play most channels with excellent sharpness and detail. The color quality is great. However, Roku 2 XS and Roku 2 XD don’t support 4K Ultra HD content; you need a more expensive model to be able to use that resolution.

Conclusion
Between the two models, Roku 2 XS is definitely more recommended. It will give a very good value for the money. It supports Wi-Fi and Ethernet, and it has a USB port for playing content from a local device. It also has a motion-sensing remote and free full-version Angry Birds.

Amazon Disclosure Statement

tvandprojectors.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to tvandprojectors.com (amazon.com, amazonsupply.com, or myhabit.com).

CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS IN THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.